Dare Babalola
The member representing Yagba Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Leke Abejide, has dragged the faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that suspended him to court.
Breaking his silence on the issue, Abejide rejected any form of coalition with other parties, stressing that he would not allow “people from nowhere” to hijack the party he laboured to build.
The lawmaker, according to the Tribune, maintained that ADC’s Kogi State Working Committee, led by Chairman Kingsley Ogga, does not have the legal grounds to suspend him.
Abejide said Ogga had been suspended from the ADC in 2022, adding that his leadership in the party is illegal.
Abejide also questioned the leadership of Senator Tunde Ogbeha, who recently hosted an ADC meeting in his Kogi State house, noting that he (Abejide) has served as the party’s financial secretary for over 8 years.
Abejide, who described himself as the national leader of the party noted the irony, given that the party’s constitution stipulates that members can only hold positions after two years in the party, unless a waiver is granted by the National Executive Committee (NEC), which has not convened to grant such a waiver.
Abejide said the matter has been taken to court, stating that he would show the current leadership that he is not a fool and knows what he is doing.
He admitted that Chief Ralph Nwosu, a leader in the ADC, informed him that “some people are coming to join the party, but not taking over as it is now”.
Abejide further accused members of the coalition of undermining Nwosu, expressing his opposition to any form of coalition, stating that it would be a mistake that cannot be corrected.
“There is no coalition because it cannot stand. I have the locus to challenge every one of their actions in court because they are interlopers.
“Coalition of what? The coalition is dead on arrival.
“Let’s go to the contest and see who will win. The mistake has been made and cannot be corrected. We will show them the way out.
“ADC will not be available for such a coalition or they should go back and register their new party, ADA,” Abejide said.
He advised Sen. David Mark’s leadership to go back and look for another plan, rather than pursuing the current course of action, as ADC will not be available for such, or they should go back and register their ADA.
Abejide pointed out that the party’s constitution requires a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to be called before any leadership changes can be made.
He decried that as an elected representative and the ranking member of the NEC, he was not informed of any meeting or decision to replace the leadership.
According to Abejide, if Chief Nwosu truly wants to resign, the Deputy National Chairman from the South should take over, following the party’s constitutional order of succession.
The ADC Leader has taken the matter to court, challenging the legitimacy of the current leadership and describing them as “unknown to the party structure.”
Abejide stressed the need for the party to adhere to its constitution and ensure that leadership transitions are conducted transparently and lawfully.
Abejide announced plans to hold a press conference to address the issue and inform the public about the situation.
